MARION MASTERS

Familiar faces atop Masters leaderboard

Winner Steve Albright, left, and Brent Dorman finish up the 18th green during the final day of the 31st Marion Masters at the Country Club at Silver Springs Shores in Ocala on Sunday. Dorman shot 72 with a three-day score of 215. Winner Steve Albright shot 70 with a three-day score of 212.

Jacqui Janetzko/Correspondent

By John PattonCorrespondent

Published: Saturday, June 15, 2013 at 6:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, June 16, 2013 at 12:10 a.m.

DUNNELLON — For many years a group of local golfers used to find the time maybe twice-a-month to go out and play a relaxed, though semi-competitive, round with each other. They shared fond memories, stories about that bending 50-foot birdie putt and that impossible chip-in from a blind spot in the bunker.

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Nowadays, priorities have changed, and 18 holes have been replaced with newer joys like coaching Little League and directing swim meets. But, every so often, like this weekend's Marion Masters, the group of dads get back together to tee it up.

And now, on Father's Day, three of those men — Steve Albright, Brent Dorman and Ken Godwin — will be in today's final group at Silver Springs Shores.

“There are a bunch of us that have played together for about 15 years,” said Dorman (69-74-143), one shot behind Albright (67-75-142) and one ahead of Godwin (75-69-143) after Saturday's second round at Juliette Falls. “And the three of us are all former Marion Masters champions.

“So, (today) should be a lot of fun.”

With that said, Dorman and Albright were quick to suggest the tournament winner could come from outside the final trio.

“Shores is very familiar to a lot of players in the field,” said Albright (-2), the defending champion, as well as the medalist in 2008 and 1996. “So, there are a lot of people in contention. It could be a shootout.

“I think everybody as far back as three- or four-over has a chance.”

Dorman added he believes there could be multiple sub-70s carded with some scores possibly as low as 66 or 67. That would be a contrast from the first two days which saw only Albright, Dorman and Joel Durrance (71-76-147) shoot under par on Day 1 at Golden Ocala and only 2005 champ Godwin, Kelly Gosse (74-71-145) and Ty O'Shields (76-71-147) break 72 at Juliette Falls.

“The goal (on Saturday) was to stay in it with the goal (today) being to go out and win,” said Albright, the 2012 Marion County Golfer of the Year. “But it is going to be tough and it could get really tight.”

And then, according to Dorman, the real treat will come.

“It's great for all of us to be able to get out here and play together,” said Dorman, the 2001 and '07 tournament champion. “And all of us are extremely competitive and want to win.

“But in the last four years or so, things have gotten a little different. We all still look forward to the tournament, but I think if you asked each of us, we'd say the thing we'll be most looking forward to is getting home afterwards to celebrate Father's Day.”

<p>DUNNELLON — For many years a group of local golfers used to find the time maybe twice-a-month to go out and play a relaxed, though semi-competitive, round with each other. They shared fond memories, stories about that bending 50-foot birdie putt and that impossible chip-in from a blind spot in the bunker.</p><p>More than anything, they became close friends.</p><p>Nowadays, priorities have changed, and 18 holes have been replaced with newer joys like coaching Little League and directing swim meets. But, every so often, like this weekend's Marion Masters, the group of dads get back together to tee it up.</p><p>And now, on Father's Day, three of those men — Steve Albright, Brent Dorman and Ken Godwin — will be in today's final group at Silver Springs Shores.</p><p>“There are a bunch of us that have played together for about 15 years,” said Dorman (69-74-143), one shot behind Albright (67-75-142) and one ahead of Godwin (75-69-143) after Saturday's second round at Juliette Falls. “And the three of us are all former Marion Masters champions.</p><p>“So, (today) should be a lot of fun.”</p><p>With that said, Dorman and Albright were quick to suggest the tournament winner could come from outside the final trio.</p><p>“Shores is very familiar to a lot of players in the field,” said Albright (-2), the defending champion, as well as the medalist in 2008 and 1996. “So, there are a lot of people in contention. It could be a shootout.</p><p>“I think everybody as far back as three- or four-over has a chance.”</p><p>Dorman added he believes there could be multiple sub-70s carded with some scores possibly as low as 66 or 67. That would be a contrast from the first two days which saw only Albright, Dorman and Joel Durrance (71-76-147) shoot under par on Day 1 at Golden Ocala and only 2005 champ Godwin, Kelly Gosse (74-71-145) and Ty O'Shields (76-71-147) break 72 at Juliette Falls.</p><p>“The goal (on Saturday) was to stay in it with the goal (today) being to go out and win,” said Albright, the 2012 Marion County Golfer of the Year. “But it is going to be tough and it could get really tight.”</p><p>And then, according to Dorman, the real treat will come.</p><p>“It's great for all of us to be able to get out here and play together,” said Dorman, the 2001 and '07 tournament champion. “And all of us are extremely competitive and want to win.</p><p>“But in the last four years or so, things have gotten a little different. We all still look forward to the tournament, but I think if you asked each of us, we'd say the thing we'll be most looking forward to is getting home afterwards to celebrate Father's Day.”</p><p><i>For a complete list of scores, visit www.marioncountygolf.com.</i></p>